Folding table leg hinge and lock



Feb. 4, 1941. N. w. cuMMlNs l 2,230,220

FOLDING TABLE LEG HINGE AND LOCK Filed Jly 27. 1958 :s sheets-sheet 1 ngz INVENTOR AgoYrman WCammns ATTORNEY Feb. 4, 1941.

N. w. cuMMlNs 2,230,220

FOLDING TBLE LEG HINGE AND LOCK Filed July 27, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 'INVENTOR Vormen /I/ Cummins Y( MM. ATTORNEY Feb. 4, 1941. l N w, CUMM|N5 2,230,220

FOLDING 'IABLE LEG HINGE AND LOCK Filed July 27, 1938 I5 SheetsSheet'S INVENTOR /Va "man I/I/.vummnJ' B WM:

ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 4, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

My invention relates to folding tables and analogous structures, and has particular reference to improvements in the construction of fixtures, or hardware, for pivotally attaching legs to a table top, and to improvements in the construction oi a locking device for retaining the legs in extended or folded positions.

One object of my invention is to provide a construction having a lock-releasing element remote from the folding leg, so that the hand of the operator is fully protected from mechanical injury. Thus, my invention has for its main object the provision of a construction wherein the lockreleasing element projects through the corre- 1'5 spending ange of the table top.

Other objects of my invention include: the provision of a construction having very low manufacturing cost; the provision of a construction requiring only unskilled labor for its assembly on the table; and, the provision of a construction requiring simple woodworking operations on the perimetrical table-anges and table legs.

The advantages of these, and other objects of my invention, will be readily understood by those versed in the art as the following description is read in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating several enriloodirnentsl of the broad principles of my invention, in which:

Figure 1 is a partial elevational view showing one embodiment of my invention applied to a table top, and the illustration shows the leg in extended position, such as is the case when the table is in use;

Figure 2 is a partial sectional view taken along lines 2--2 of Figure 1, showing the construction and relation of the lock-releasing plunger 6 and locking tip 5a; Figure 3 is a partial sectional View taken along 40 lines 3-3 of Figure 1, showing the construction and relation of the flanged corner brace 4, leg

armor 9 and locking tip 5a; f

Figure 4 is a partial sectional view taken along lines 4--4 of Figure l, showing the construction and relation of the flanged corner brace l and table-top flange 2;

Figure 5 is a partial elevational view of the mechanism shown in Figure 1, as viewed from the outside face of the table-top iiange;

Figure 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 2, showing the construction and relation of the lock-releasing plunger 6 and return spring I3;

Figure 7 is a partial elevational View illustrat- 55l ing another embodiment of my invention, and the illustration shows the table leg in extended position;

Figure 8 is a partial sectional View taken along lines 8-8 of Figure 7 showing the construction and relation of the lock-releasing c plunger 2 l, corner brace I8, table-leg supportingmember 49a and return spring 23;

Figure 9 is a partial sectional View taken along lines 9-9 of Figure '7, showing stops 18h and |80, which are engaged by the leg carried member 10 lQb, when the table-leg is extended;

Figure l0 is a partial plan View of Figure 7, as viewed from the top of anges I5 and |61);

Figure 11 is a partial elevational view illustrating still another embodiment of my invention, 15 and the illustration likewise shows the table-leg IQ in extended position;

Figure 12 is a partial plan View of Figure 11, as viewed from the top of flanges 2 and 2a;

Figure 13 is a partial sectional view taken along 2O lines |3-l3 of Figure 11, showing the construction and relation lof locking plunger 53, leg armor 9| and corner brace 4I.

Referring now to the drawings it will be first mentioned that three preferred embodiments of 25 my invention have been illustrated. In order to avoid confusion, each embodiment has been illustrated on a separate sheet. Thus, sheet 1, containing Figures 1 through 6, illustrates the first embodiment. Likewise, sheet 2, containing Fig- 30 ures 7 through 10, illustrate the second embodiment, While sheet 3, containing Figures 11 through 13, illustrates the third embodiment. Hereinafter the descriptions of the drawings will be thus identified. 35

The first embodiment Figures 1 through 6 illustrate one corner portion of a table, and the corresponding folding leg structure associated therewith. While the illustration has been thus simplified, it is to be understood that this structure is duplicated at each of the corners of the table, so that each leg of the table may be folded within the perimetrical anges of the table top.

My invention is illustrated in connection with a folding table having a relatively thin and lightweight top member I, which top is supported around its edges by perimetrical anges 2 and 2a arranged in rectangular relation, and rigidly se- 5o cured at the adjacent ends of each corner to form a continuous frame around the edges of the table top.

At each corner I have provided a flanged corner-brace 4. Each corner brace is U-shaped,

I. l Y

' the extensions 9a on the leg armor 9.

and has the adjacent sides thereof secured to the corresponding perimetrical flanges of the table top to provide a very rigid corner construction. In order to provide a very rigid U-shaped cornerbrace from light-weight sheet metal said brace is provided with flanges 4a, which anges securely engage the table-top flanges to provide a definite alignment of the corner brace 4 with the perimetrical flanges of the table-top.

Later it will be observed that this construction, while providing greater strength, also serves to maintain the table-leg carried by each corner brace 4 in definite alignment with the perimetrical flanges of the table-top. As illustrated in the drawings, each table-top ange 2 and 2a is recessed adjacent each corner, so that the flanges da of the corner brace 4 firmly grip the flanges of the table-top, without interfering with 'the table-top. As further illustrated, screws 3V and 3a securely attach the corner braces to flanges 2 and 2a, respectively. Thus, I Ihave provided a very simple and efficient corner brace providing rigidity that has not heretofore been obtained on kindred devices.

'Ihe arms of the U-shaped corner-brace form a channel, or socket, within which is pivotally mounted a table-leg I0. The pivoted end ,of the table-leg Ill is covered with a thin metallic armor 9 to provide large bearing surfaces between the arms of the corner-brace 4. VThis armor is secured to the table-leg II) by screws- 8. Both the armor 9 and table-leg I0 are apertured -to receive a sleeve bearing I5.

Within the sleeve bearing I5, a lock-releasing plunger 6 slidably operates. Referring to Figures 2, 5 and 6 it will be observed that the lockreleasing plunger (i extends into an aperture II in the perimetrical table-top flange 2, and is provided with an actuating button 6b'. A spring I3 serves to bias the plunger 6 outwardly, while a shoulder 6a serves to limit the yamount the plunger 6 may be pressed inwardly by an operator. Thus it will be observed that this construction places the actuated portion of the lockreleasing plunger 6 remote from the pivotal connection of the folding leg, thereby eliminating exposure of the operators hand to pinching between the leg and table-top flange, as is frequently encountered in devices having the lockreleasing mechanism carried by the'leg.

At the inner end of the lock-releasing plunger 6, an arm 5 is secured thereto. The arm 5 is fashioned from wire stock and has one end flattened as sho-wn in Figures 1 and 2. 'I'he opposite end of arm 5 is provided with a looking tip 5a, which tippasses through an eyeleted aperture 'I in the corner brace I. It will be observed, from an examination of Figures 2 and 3, that the locking tip is slightly beveled so as to register properly with the outside face of the armor, 'when the leg is in its extended or at the open position, and to provide for a reasonable working tolerance.

At this time particular reference is made to These extensions project slightly beyond the leg and provide a denite metallic stop for the leg, when the leg is in its extended or open position. Thus, the Varmor 9 not only provides a durable metallic locking-surface for the locking tip 5a, but projections 9a, which projections serve as definite stops for the leg. Therefore, when the leg is extended, the armor 9 is rigidly held between the bottom of the U-shaped corner-brace 4, and the locking tip 5a.

When the leg is moved to its folded position, the locking tip 5a engages a depression 'Ia formed in the armor 9. Thus, the locking tip and depression Ia cooperate to retain the leg in folded position. It is understood that if it is desirable to positively lock `the leg in folded position the depression 'Ia can be deeper and formed with substantially straight sides, or replaced by an aperture in the armor 9 at the same location.

In assembling the hardware to the perimetrical flange of they table-top, it has. been found desirable so to assemble the` U-shaped cornerbrace, armor, and lock-releasing plunger, etc., to the leg, and then to attach same to the tabletop flange as a unit. Accordingly the upper end of the table-leg I is grooved at I4l to allow screw 3a to be easily applied.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the operator presses button 6b to release the locking tip 5a from the back face of armor 9, whereupon the leg may be freely moved to its folded position. Thus, the leg I0 in moving to its folded position, moves in the direction of arrow I2 through the 90 degree arc A. When the leg is moved toits folded position, the depression Ia registers `with the locking tip 5a,

and thereby retains the leg yieldingly in the closed position.

In moving the leg from folded to open position, it is not necessary to press button 6b, unless the depression 'la has been replaced by a construction providing a positive lock.

The second embodiment The second embodiment is illustrated in Figures 7 through 10, and, like the rst embodiment, has the lock releasing plunger extending through the pivotal axis of the table-leg. The illustrations covering the second embodiment likewise show only one corner portion of a tabletop together with its corresponding folding leg structure. f Thus, it is to be understood that this structure is likewise duplicated at each corner of the table-top, so that each leg of the table may be folded within the perimetrical flanges of the table-top.

The second embodiment shows a construction particularly adapted for the lightweight and lesser expensive ltables, and, like the first embodiment, the construction provides remarkable rigidity of the table-leg, when same is in its extended position, without the use of exposed braces.

In the lesser expensive tables the table-top is made as thin and light in weight as practicable. Table tops of this typ-e are supported around their edges by perimetrical frame members having a construction similar to that illustrated in Figures 7 through 10. Such tops are usually covered with felt, or a suitable fabric, to provide a suitable finish for the top surface of the table. The top is set in depressed shoulders in the upper edge of the frame to finish off this edge, and glued in such position.

In the illustrations, the adjacent perimetrical anges I6 and Ib, which anges form one corner of the table top, have longitudinal grooves I 6a and I6c, respectively, formed therein.

At each corner I have provided an L-shaped corner-brace having legs I8 and I8a, respectively. 'I'he legs of the L-shaped corner-brace have tongues I8d and I6d formed therefrom, which tongues are forced into their corresponding grooves I6a and IBc, respectively. Thus, the tongues I8d and ld serve to align the perimetrical flanges of the table-top. Rivets 21 securely attach the L-shaped corner-brace to the tabletop flanges. Accordingly, it will be observed that the tongues |8cl and ld reinforce the L-shaped corner-brace, yand also serve to maintain the leg pivotally carried by the corner brace in delinite alignment with the anges of the tabletop.

In Figures 7, 9 and 10, it will be observed that the second embodiment has a leg supporting memb-er IS-ISZJ pivotally mounted on leg I8 of the L-shaped corner-brace by a tubular shaft 24. Note in particular Figure 8. The table-leg is attached to the leg supporting member |9|9b by rivets 2E.

In Figure 8 the construction of the pivotal connection is clearly shown, and it will be noted that a large reinforcing washer 25 is provided to form a very firm pivotal connection or bearing.

Within the tubular shaft .24, one leg of the lock-releasing member 2| slidably operates. Referring to Figure 8, it will be :observed that the said one leg of the lock-releasing member 2| extends into an aperture I'Se in the table-top flange Iii, and is provided with an actuating button 22, which button has a long skirt serving to limit the amount the plunger 2i| may be` pressed inwardly by an operator. A spring 23 normally biases the said one leg :of the lock-releasing member 2| outwardly. Therefore, the embodiment illustrated in Figures 7 through 10 likewise places the actuated portion of the lock-releasing member `2| remote fro-m the folding leg, thus eliminating the possibility of pinching the operators hand between the leg and table-top plunger, as frequently encountered in devices having the lock-releasing mechanism carried by the leg.

The lock-releasing member 2| is essentially a U-shaped device having a long leg extending through the tubular shaft 24, and a short leg extending through an aperture Zllal in the extension |9a of the leg supporting member I9- |9b. When the table leg is moved to its extended position, as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, the free end of the short leg of member 2| engages an aperture 20 in the leg |8 of the L- shaped corner-brace |8-|8a, to lock securely the table leg in its extended position. When the table leg is moved to its folded position, the short leg of member 2| engages a similar aperture 2U, to lock securely the table leg in its folded position.

Insofar as operation is concerned the member 2| of Figure 8 functions similarly to plunger 6 of Figure 2.

Particular attention is directed to the fact that, in the second embodiment, the lock releasing member 2| rotates with the leg supporting member IQ-Igb, when the table leg is moved from folded to extended position and vice-versa, For comparison it will be observed that, in the first embodiment, the lock-releasing plunger 6 and arm remain relatively stationary with respect to the pivotal movement of the leg.

In Figure '7 it will be noted that the leg I8 of the L-shaped corner brace, has two rectangullar apertures 20-20 formed therein substantially 90 degrees apart, and on the same arc. In this respect one of the apertures 20 receives the said free end of the said short leg of member 2|, when the table leg is in folded position. In open or extended position a similar notch receives the short leg, thus providing positive locking of the table-leg in folded and extended positions.

To provide an additional support for the tableleg, when same is in its extended position, stops I'Bb and |8c are engaged by the table-leg supporting member |9--|9b.

The leg supporting member is designed to accommodate legs of various rectangular crosssectional dimensions. This is provided for by progressively varying the width of each arm of the leg supporting member in definite steps, as shown in Figures 7 and 9. Therefore, the leg can have any desired cross-sectional dimension within the range covered by the chosen steps, without detracting from the appearance of the finished article. Thus, as a means of presenting a symmetrical appearance in combination with any one of several sizes of legs, the leg supporting member has an angular shape and each arm thereof is cut t-.o present a stepped effect.

The operation of the second e-mbodiment is similar to that described for the first embodiment, except, in the second embodiment, the button 22 must be pressed when the leg is folded or opened.

The third embodiment The third embodiment combines the salient features of the first and second embodiments. Thus, it will be o-bserved that the third embodiment, illustrated in Figures 11, l2 and 13, utilizes a flanged corner brace similar to that employed in the first embodiment, and the very important feature of having the locking tip -5'3 engage ape-rtures in one leg of the corner brace to provide positive locking. The third embodiment further utilizes the yfeature of having the armor stopping against the base of the corner brace, which in combination with the arrangement of the locking plunger, presents an unusually rigid folding-leg construction.

Referring now to Figures 1l and l2, it will be observed that the third embodiment employs an L-shaped corner-brace having iianges 42 firmly gripping corresponding sides of the table-top and to align the corner brace with respect to the perimetrical flange of the table top. In this respect the third embodiment is quite similar to the construction of the U-shaped corner-brace of the rst embodiment. Wood screws `3 and 3a serve to securely attach the L-shaped cornerbrace 4| to the corresponding flanges 2 and 2a of the table-top.

An arm V43 is rigidly secured to the leg of the corner-brace lying in face contacting relation with the table-top flange 2a by welding or riveting. The arm 43 projects outwardly from the aforesaid leg substantially parallel with the other leg of the corner-brace lying in face contacting relation with the table-top flange 2.

Thus, one leg of the corner-brace 4| and the arm 43 form a socket for receiving the upper end of a table-leg I0.

Similar to the construction employed in the first embodiment, the upper end of leg Hl is covered with a thin sheet-metal armo-r 9|. A wood screw 8 serves to secure armor 94 to leg lll. Therefore, the armo-r provides very substantial and permanent bearing faces, which faces operate within the socket formed by arm 43 and the one leg of the corner-brace 4|. It is to be further understood that the armor is slightly wider than the thickness of the leg, so as to pmovide metallic stops fo-r the leg, when the leg is in its extended or operating position.

As particularly shown in Figure 12, a hollow shaft l5 4extends through aligned apertures in the corner-brace, armor, leg and arm, to provide the pivotal attachment of the leg to the corner-brace. The hollow shaft 115 is secured to comer-brace 4| and arm 42. Thus, leg lll) and armor 9| pivot about the hollow shaft |5.

A plunger 6| passes through the hollow shaft I5. As shown in Figure l2, the outer end of the plunger 6| is provided with a push-button 6b, which p-ush-button operates in an aperture fashioned in table-top ange 2 in alignment with hollow shaft I5. A spring |3l serves to bias the plunger 6| outwardly.

On the inner end of plunger 6| an arm 5r| is permanently secured t:o the plunger 6| by riveting. The free end of the arm 5| is provided with an elongated locking-tip 53 having a taper 53| at its end. Such taper is illustrated in Figure 113.

From the foregoing it will be obvious that the spring I3 normally biases the locking-tip 53 toward the table-top ange 2. Therefore, the leg of the corner-brace 4| lying in face contacting relation with table-top flange 2 is provided With a V-shaped notch "i4 and an aperture 44a.

Referring to Figure 1l, it will be observed that the locking-tip 53 is angularly oifset with respect to the vertical center-line of the table-leg, as illustrated by the character C. Accordingly, with the leg in its extended position, as illustrated in Figure 1l the V-shaped notch 44 is located so that the tapered face 53| of the locking-tip 53 wedges against one face of the V-shaped notch, as shown in Figure 13. This construction provides a pivoted table-leg more rigidly secured in its extended position than ever before realized with known commercial construction. Particular reference is made to the compensating effect of the taper face 53|, which, from the very nature of the novel construction, automatically takes-up lost motion produced by wear, or variations encountered in manufacturing. This feature is a very valuable contribution.

In the folded position of the table leg, the lock need not be as secure as that provided for the extended or operating position. Therefore, an aperture Ma is provided in corner-brace 4| Within which the free end of the locking-tip 53 lodges, when the leg is in its folded position. 'I'he angular movement, indicated by the character A, corresponds, with the relative movement of the locking-tip 53, when the table leg is moved from its extended to its folded position.

The operation of the third embodiment is quite similar to that of the other two, in that the button 6b is depressed to move the locking-tip 53 out of engagement with the V-shaped notch 44, when it is desired to move the leg to its folded position. Ordinarily, the aperture 44a is tapered so that it is not necessary to press the button 6b, when it is desired to move the leg to its extended position. On the other hand it is obvious that the aperture 44a. could be replaced by a V-shaped notch or otherwise constructed to provide a positive and rigid lock for the leg in its folded position.

In the first embodiment the axis of arm 5 is angularly offset 45 degrees as illustrated in Figure l, while in the third embodiment the axis of arm 5| is angularly offset 27 degrees as sh-own in Figure 11 and designated by the character C.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. In combination with a table-top having a perimetrical frame; a leg pivotally attached to the frame so as to be swung from a folded position parallel to the table-top to an upright supporting position at right-angles to the top;

means carried by the frame for locking the leg in its upright position, said means comprising a member extending through the pivotal axis of the leg and axially movable therein in a direction substantially at right-angles to the direction of movement of the leg,rs'aid member having a locking tip oset with respect to the pivotal axis of the leg, for moving into and out of locking en- Y formed. by the inner faces of the connected rails,

and secured to the inner faces of said rails in face contacting relation throughout substantially their length, to brace the corner formed by the connected rails; an arm secured to one of said legs and spaced from and substantially parallel to the other leg of said brace; a table leg'disposed between the said arm and the said other leg of said brace; a plunger carried by the said arm and the said other leg of the corner brace extending through the said table leg and axially movable therein; said rail adjacent the other leg of said brace having an aperture therein in axial alignment with the said plunger and receiving the outer end thereof; means for rigidly locking the leg with respect to the table-top, when the leg is moved to an upright position substantially at right-angles to the table-top; means operatively interconnecting the inner end of the said plunger and said locking means, for releasing the locking means, when the said plunger is moved inwardly, so that the table leg may be moved from the said upright position to a folded position substantially parallel to the table-top; and

ra spring normally biasing the said plunger outwardly.

3. In combination with a table-top, having a perimetrical frame; a leg pivotally attached to the frame so as to be moved from a folded position parallel with the table-top to an upright supporting position at right angles with the top; a plunger extending through the said frame and ythrough the pivotal axis of the said leg, said plunger having a locking tip at its inner end offset with respect to the pivotal axis of the said leg, and projecting toward the inner face of the said frame; a spring normally biasing the locking tip of the said plunger toward the inner face of the said frame, for moving the said locking tip into locking position, when the leg is moved to its supporting position; and a button formed on the outer end of the said plunger, actuatable by an` operator, for moving the said plunger and locking tip inwardly and out of locking position.

4. In a folding table; a table-top having a perimetrical flange; a leg support secured to the said flange; a table leg pivotally secured to the said support; a plunger extending from the outer face of the said flange, through the said flange and through the pivotal axis of the said leg, the said plunger having at its inner end a locking tip projecting outwardly toward the inner face of the said flange for locking the said leg to the said support, when the leg is moved to an upright position substantially at right angles with the table-top; a spring normally biasing the locking tip toward the inner face of the said ange; and a button formed on the outer end of the plunger, actuatable by an operator, for releasing the lock between the leg and the support, so that the leg may be moved from its upright position to a folded position substantially parallel with said table-top.

5. In combination with a table having a depending perimetrical flange; a leg pivotally mounted at the inner side of the said flange; a reciprocating plunger extending through the ange, and through the pivotal axis of the said leg having a locking tip at its inner end offset with respect to the pivotal axis of the said leg, the said locking tip projecting outwardly toward the inner face of the said flange for locking said leg to the flange, when the leg is moved to a vertical position; a spring normally biasing the locking tip toward the inner face of the said flange; and a button formed on the outer end of the plunger, actuatable by an operator, for releasing the lock between the leg and said frame.

NORMAN W. CUMMINS. 

